Male Genital Tract Flashcards
1
Q
Primary male sex organs (gonads)
A
- testes
- produce sperm
2
Q
Urethra
A
- expels semen
3
Q
Testis
A
- where sperm are produced
4
Q
Epididymus
A
- where sperm mature
5
Q
Ductus Deferens
A
- transports sperm to urethra
6
Q
Bulbourethral gland
A
- produces alkaline, mucus-rich fluid to help neutralize urethral environment
7
Q
Prostate gland
A
- produces enzyme-rich component of semen
- surrounds prostatic part of urethra
8
Q
Seminal vesicle
A
- produces fructose-rich component of semen
- found behind bladder
- join with ampulla of ductus deferens to form ejaculatory duct
9
Q
Testes are housed where?
A
- scrotum (external sac, outside body cavity), divided into two compartments by septum
- septum of scrotum = CT
- septum of scrotum and scrotum = not a part of penis
10
Q
Cremaster muscle
A
- contracts to elevate testis and maintain optimal temperature for sperm development (~ 3 degrees cooler than body temp)
11
Q
The penis is composed of what?
A
- penis composed of 3 erectile bodies
> unpaired corpus spongiosum (1)
> paired corpora cavernosa (2)
12
Q
What are the 3 regions of the penis?
A
- the root of the penis is the base — where it attaches to the pelvis
- the body of the penis = free portion
- glans penis = enlarged end
- prepuce (foreskin)
13
Q
Prostatic urethra
A
- passes through prostate
14
Q
Membranous urethra
A
- passes through perineal muscles
- short
15
Q
Penile urethra
A
- passes through corpus spongiosum of penis
- also called spongy urethra
16
Q
Descent of testes
A
- descends from abdominal cavity
- through in inguinal canal (deep inguinal right + superficial inguinal ring)
- into scrotum
- guided by gubernaculum
- cryptochidism = failure of testes to descend
17
Q
Spermatic cord
A
- weak spot in abdominal wall
- spermatic cord = ductus deferens, fascia, testicular vessels (testicular artery & pampiniform plexus) nerves
- extends from scrotum to inguinal canal
- medial opening = superficial inguinal ring
- deep inguinal ring = where ductus deferens and testicular vessels enter abdomen
18
Q
What do the testes produce and what are they divided into?
A
- produce sperm (by tubules) and androgens (by supporting cells)
- divided by connective tissue septa into lobules containing:
> seminiferous tubules
> straight tubule
> rate testis
> efferent ducts
19
Q
Interstitial cells
A
- lie outside of CT capsule; produce androgens in response to Luteinizing hormone which begins process of spermatogenesis
20
Q
Production of Spermatozoa — 1st step
A
- spermatogonium: deep to blood-testis barrier
- immature sperm cells
21
Q
Production of Spermatozoa — 2nd step
A
Spermatids: in various stages of maturation
22
Q
Nurse cells
A
- provide physical support for maturing spermatogonium
- make up stuff spermatogonium sits in
23
Q
Production of Spermatozoa — 3rd step
A
- getting ready for spermination
- mature sperm cell, but not quite activated yet
24
Q
The epididymus
A
- where we go after producing spermatozoa
- Head of epididymus (receiving things straight from rete testis)
- Body of epididymus
- Tail of epididymus
- Ductus deferens (will deliver us to the urethra)
- site of sperm maturation and storage: protein secretions nourish sperm and help maturation
26
Q
Spermatozoa
A
- tail: flagellum —> self propelled
- middle: mitochondria—> gives it energy
- head: acrosomal cap (needs to dissolve for it to mature) and genetic material (in the cap)
28
Q
Accessory glands picture
A
29
Q
Production of semen
A
- Sperm production in seminiferous tubules
- Sperm storage and maturation in epididymis
- Sperm travel through ductus deferens
- Seminal fluid and sperm come together in ejaculatory duct
- Prostatic fluid added to fluid in prostatic urethra
- Sperm travel through membranous and spongy urethra
- Sperm reach outside world (through external urethral orifice)
